Types of alcohols

[Katie Clark 3B]

In problem 20 of chapter 2 in the organic chemistry textbook, they ask to draw 2-methyl-2-butanol and then name what type of alcohol it is. The answer given is tertiary alcohol? How do you know it is tertiary? How can you tell?

[Cristian Yanes 1L]

Hi Katie,

In a tertiary alcohol, the carbon attached to the hydroxy group (-OH) is attached to 3 other carbons for its 3 other bonds, which in the case of 2-methyl-2-butanol, it is!


Hope I helped,

Cristian